The sun had barely begun its ascent when Clara's phone buzzed insistently beside her on the pillow. She squinted at the screen, momentarily blinded by the bright light. It was a notification from Etien, the kind of message that usually sparked joy—or at least intrigue. She rubbed her eyes, hoping the remnants of sleep would fade quickly.
Etien: Hey Clara! How about a party Friday night. The 2nd and 3rd years are throwing it. You in?
Clara hesitated. Parties weren't her scene, not since the last one had turned into a chaotic mess that ended with her puking in the bathroom. But the thought of spending another evening at home, flipping through channels and avoiding homework, didn't sit well either.
She contemplated replying, but instead, she tossed the phone back onto the bed and turned onto her side. As she pulled the covers up to her chin, Clara's mind wandered. The familiar rhythm of her heartbeat began to throb in time with the memories of past gatherings—the laughter, the music, the unavoidable presence of Isaac.
Clara: Only if you can promise Isaac won't be there.
She bit her lip, hit send, and waited, knowing full well that her request would probably ruffle Etien's feathers. It didn't take long for a reply to come through.
Etien: That's a big thing to ask, especially since you know I can't fulfill it with 100% certainty. Come on Clara just go and let loose a little bit.
Clara sighed. She didn't want to be the girl who couldn't face the music. "It's just one night," she muttered to herself, though the knot in her stomach protested.
Clara: Fine, I'll go, but you better at least try.
With that, Clara swung her legs over the side of the bed, feeling a mix of excitement and dread bubbling within her. She padded over to her closet, staring blankly at the sea of clothes hanging lifelessly.
Meanwhile, Charlie was engaged in a different battle. He stood in Isaac's dimly lit bedroom, surrounded by scattered clothes and half-eaten snacks. The faint scent of cologne mixed with the staleness of unwashed dishes filled the air.
"Come on, man! You can't keep hiding out here!" Charlie said, hands on his hips. He leaned against the doorframe, trying to project a cool confidence that was beginning to waver.
"I'm not hiding," Isaac shot back, his voice flat. He slumped on his bed, his hair disheveled and a cloud of melancholy swirling around him. "I just… don't want to go to another one of those stupid parties."
"You? Calling a party stupid? Why not? It's the last weekend before winter exams and everyone will be there. You might even have some fun." Charlie pressed, trying to pull Isaac out of his self-imposed exile.
"Fun?" Isaac echoed, scoffing. "No thanks. I'm sorry Charlie but fun Isn't what I should be having right now"
Charlie ran a hand through his own hair, exasperated. "Dude, look, I know it's hard with Clara but you honestly can't blame her for the things she said to me, and you definitely can't keep punishing yourself for it as well. If I can forgive both you and her, you can too"
"Yeah, right and me getting wasted at a party is supposed to help with that feeling" Isaac replied, sarcasm dripping from his tone.
Charlie took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his friend's despair. "What if I promise to get wasted with you? I'll stick with you and keep you in check. How about it?"
Isaac turned to look at Charlie, skepticism etched on his face. "You? Get wasted?" It's been roughly a month since Charlie's arrival and in Isaac's days of knowing him he could never imagine an opportunity where he'd get this chance. Saying no now would mean potential sabotage of seeing it ever.
"Of course! I'll even let you pick the drinks. Just promise me you'll come." Charlie says, making a sad face on the edge of the bed.
After a long moment of silence, Isaac let out a defeated sigh. "Fine. I'll go. But only if you really plan on getting wasted with me. No backing out."
"Deal!" Charlie exclaimed, pumping his fist in the air triumphantly.
As if on cue, Charlie's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and quickly scanned the message thread with Etien and Raya.
Etien: Clara's in!
Charlie couldn't help but grin. He quickly typed back.
Charlie: Isaac's coming too!
Etien replied almost instantly.
Etien: Fuck yeah! Let's get this party started!
Charlie felt a wave of excitement wash over him. He left Isaac's room, heading for the bathroom. As he washed his hands, he could already envision the night ahead—laughter, music, and an atmosphere thick with possibility. He quickly sent a message to the group chat to let everyone know about Isaac.
Charlie: Raya, how's your side coming?
Raya: working on it right now.
In between the time of coming up with the plan and right now Etien and Charlie only had one major issue with the plan: How to get the second and third years to throw a party. The day after coming up with the plan they were at lunch again discussing the plan "So you think just walking up to them and asking them to throw a party is going to just work? You've got guts Charlie." Etien says, rolling his eyes.
"What other option is there? How else are we going to convince them to start a party" Charlie says, trying his best to think.
Faint footsteps walk closer and closer to the table as Raya slams her tray down and immediately asks "Party?"
Etien replies snarkily and sarcastically "And the party demoness appears"
Charlie looks around thinking to himself. His new plan might actually work.
Back to the present, Raya was bustling about, her energy palpable. She had started whispers about the party through the grapevine and it was her mission to make it a reality. After grabbing lunch with a couple of friends, she hopped from table to table, spreading the word.
"Hey, did you guys hear? The second and third years are throwing a massive party on Friday night! It's going to be sick" she proclaimed, grinning widely.
The table erupted with chatter, some faces lighting up with enthusiasm while others wore expressions of disbelief.
"Are you serious? Like, a real party?" one girl asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Absolutely! I just heard it from them!" Raya responded, leaning in conspiratorially. "They're even inviting all the years! We have to go!"
"But they haven't even officially announced it," a boy said skeptically, crossing his arms.
"Shut up, who cares? Just spread the word" Raya insisted. She caught sight of the second and third years at their designated table, deep in their conversations. With a determined look, she marched over, her shoes stomping confidently against the floor.
"Hey, are you guys really throwing a party tonight?" she asked, hands on her hips.
They exchanged glances, looking caught off guard.
"Uh, we weren't really—" one boy started.
"Oh come on, everyone is talking about it! You have to throw a party! Just think about it. All the drinks, the music, the dancing, the girls" she says getting closer to one of them "It'll be awesome!" Raya pressed, her enthusiasm infectious.
The boys at the table looked uncertain, shifting in their seats as the weight of her words sank in. "Yeah, but we didn't plan anything," one of them replied.
"Okay so what? Just make it happen. People are ready to show up. You wouldn't want to disappoint them would you. After all this might make people not trust your parties anymore and no girls will ever show up at one ever again" Raya argued, refusing to back down.
Slowly, the group began to murmur amongst themselves, glancing at each other as the idea took root.
"You know what? If everyone is that excited, why not?" one boy finally said, a grin spreading across his face.
Raya beamed, the thrill of victory sparking within her. "That's the spirit! I'll start spreading the word right now!"
As she spun on her heel, ready to conquer the rest of the school, she felt a rush of adrenaline. Friday was going to be huge. She would make sure of it.
Back in the sanctuary of his room, Isaac was scrolling through his phone, the anxiety of the upcoming party swirling around in his mind. "Ugh, why am I even going?" he muttered, tossing his phone aside.
But even as he sank back into the depths of his bed, he felt a flicker of excitement mingling with his apprehension. He might be nervous, but part of him longed to break free from the cocoon of safety he had wrapped around himself.
Across town, Clara was standing in front of her mirror, her reflection staring back at her with a mix of determination and uncertainty. She grabbed a pair of jeans and a comfortable top, her heart pounding with each passing moment. Tomorrow night was going to be different. No hiding, no running. Just a party, filled with laughter and unexpected encounters.